142 
C. J. Lyall — Translations from the Hamaseh. 
[No. 2, 
v. 2. The pagan Arabs bad a strange and gloomy superstition, which 
survived long after the days of el-Islam, though expressly denounced as 
baseless by the Prophet himself, that the spirits of dead men became owls, 
which dwelt in the graves where their bodies were laid. Sada or hameh, 
the names for an owl, thus came to mean the ghost of a dead man ; and a 
common proverbial saying in the mouth of an old man was “ I shall be an 
owl to-day or to-morrow” (this was used even by so pious a Muslim as 
Lebid in his old age under Mo‘awiyeh). Some say that only the souls of 
those slain unavenged became owls, and that they flew at night about the 
grave, crying usquni, usquni —“give me to drink!” When the blood of 
vengeance was poured forth, they were appeased and ceased to cry. That 
some such notion prevailed is clear from many passages, i. e., that the owl 
or ghost was tormented by a perpetual thirst, which required to be assuaged 
with blood or wine (see No. XVIII in the present series) : but it is 
equally certain that it was not only those who were slain unavenged who 
were believed to become owls, but that “owl” was the common word for all 
ghosts. 
v. 3. I. e., “they envy me Leyla’s love: but I never obtained it. 
Nevertheless, that my name is coupled with hers is in itself a joy to me, 
and good, however slight a thing it be.” Kulluma qarret hihi-l-eyn, 
literally: “everything which brings coolness to the eye.” Qarrat el-eyn, 
“coolness to the eye,” is a common expression for gladness. 
XVIII. 
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Another , unknown. 
O God, if I die, and Thou give not to mine owl to drink 
of Leyla, I die, no grave lies thirstier than my grave ! 
And if I forget my pain though Leyla be not for me, 
my Comforter is Despair: no comfort does Patience bring. 
And if I suffice myself without her, seem strong and stern 
—ah many the strength of soul that lies near to lacking sore ! 
Ham. pp. 541-2. 
